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Opinion
Over the years, we have seen many legendary players who have had their legacies carry on with their talented sons.
Dragons’ legend Craig Young had his son Dean not only play for his beloved Dragons, but also represent New South Wales and Australia.
Another Dragons great Steve Morris had both his sons successfully follow in his footsteps. Brett and Josh more than lived up to the hype and expectations of playing the game their father did, both having stellar careers.
South Sydney legend John Sattler is the proud father of Scott, who had a wonderful career in his own right, and will forever be remembered for that tackle in the 2003 grand final.
And despite Ivan Cleary’s recent success in the coach’s box, it seems his son Nathan is already on track to become a bigger star on the field then his dad ever was.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Then there are those that couldn’t quite step up and match the level of their father’s success.
Eric Grothe Jnr was a decent player, but he never became the star that his father Eric Grothe Snr was. Same with Stuart and Aaron Raper. They never reached the heights of their famous father Johnny. And Scott Fulton didn’t come close to the legacy of his father Bob.
There are a few more famous surnames currently in the spotlight hoping to make a name for themselves and not just wanting to be known as their father’s son.
The Storm were able to secure the services of this talented Newtown Jet, who is also the son of former Sydney Roosters and South Sydney player Sean Garlick.
Bronson had great success in last year’s reduced season for the Jets, scoring 11 tries in 12 matches.
While the 26-year-old has been around the game for a while now, playing in the lower grades for both Souths and the Canterbury Bulldogs, he just hasn’t been able to break through to the top grade.
“We thought a professional career might have passed him by,” Sean Garlick admitted to The Daily Telegraph.
“He’s played hooker and halfback then started to get a bit bigger and moved to the forwards.
“It’s taken him a while to find his right spot, but he’s been determined and persistent all along. Not many players get an opportunity to join a great organisation like Storm and we couldn’t be prouder of him.”
Bronson has made the right move heading to Melbourne. If any coach is going to bring out the best in a player, it’s Craig Bellamy.
Nicholas is the 23-year-old son of former Canterbury Bulldogs hardman Mark. Not built like his father, Nicholas is leaner and plays out on the wing. He scored one try during his five appearances for the Newcastle Knights last year.
Before joining the Knights, Nicholas played for the Wyong Roos, as well as lower levels at Souths and the Roosters.
The O’Meley boys are enjoying some great father-and-son time together at the moment, with Mark also at Newcastle as the Harold Mathews coach.
“He’s still my biggest critic. Him and my mum, after every game, they’re always the first people I speak to about football. He’s usually at every game he can be,” Nicholas told NSWRL.com.au.
The 21-year-old second rower is the son of Panthers great Mark and is already expected to make a big impact like his dad.
A fantastic 2021 season in Jersey Flegg saw a battle grow between the Melbourne Storm and Mark’s former club the Penrith Panthers, with both clubs wanting to secure the young gun’s signature.
In the end Mavrik signed with the Panthers, staying in his home town and following in his father’s footsteps at the foot of the mountains.
(Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images)
Last weekend he played an important role in the Panthers’ 34-6 win over the Sharks in their first trial match of the season.
Mavrik earned himself a try as well as a try assist and impressed many in his first hit out at the top level.
Getting the ball on the 20-metre line, he busted through the defensive line and raced over to earn himself a four-pointer. Andrew Voss proclaimed from the commentary box “We have a new MG!”
And it seems it’s not just the talent on the field that he gets from his dad. It looks like the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree with public speaking either after Mavrik dropped the f-bomb during a post-match interview on Fox Sports.
While younger than the others on this list, and not at NRL level just yet, Zach is definitely a star of the future.
Recently making his debut for the Roosters’ under-17 Harold Matthews side, there is a huge buzz around the young second rower with the famous surname.
The 15-year-old, already weighing 105 kilograms and standing eye level with his father Brad, Zach is well on his way to being as great as his legendary dad.
“He’s making his own path, so he’s extremely excited and a little bit nervous,” Brad told Nine News.
“He’s bigger and stronger [than me], it happened a few years ago, so I’m used to being dominated at home.”
Over the next few years, let’s see if these guys can forge careers that allow them to be known as themselves, and step out of the shadows of their famous fathers.